Cutter for floor covering such as linoleum and the like

ABSTRACT

A LINOLEUM CUTTER HAVING A BASE PLATE WITH A GUIDE ON THE UNDERSIDE ENGAGING THE EDGE OF THE ADJACENT LINOLEUM. THE EDGE TO BE CUT OVERLIES THE BASE PLATE AND A SPRING LOADED CUTTER IS FORCED THROUGH THE OVERLYING PORTION WHICH IS RAMPED UPWARDLY BY THE BASE PLATE TO FACILITATE THE CUTTING ACTION. THE CUTTER IS DRAWN ALONG GUIDES BY THE GUIDE SO THAT THE CUTTER SLICES THE LINOLEUM WHEREBY THE TWO EDGES ABUT CLOSELY WITH ONE ANOTHER.

Oct. 19, 1971 B. PORRELLI CUTTER FOR FLOOR COVERING SUCH AS LINOLEUM AND THE LIKE Filed May 19, 1969 m Xi w M a n f 1 0 1 Q n n 6 m J w 1 m 1 J G J 3/ I. F FEW m m 08 a F u 2U. B 2 V w INVENTOR ,Z//VIID 5 paez/z/ BY W' r ATTORNEY United States Patent ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A linoleum cutter having a base plate with a guide on the underside engaging the edge of the adjacent linoleum. The edge to be cut overlies the base plate and a spring loaded cutter is forced through the overlying portion which is ramped upwardly by the base plate to facilitate the cutting action. The cutter is drawn along guides by the guide so that the cutter slices the linoleum whereby the two edges abut closely with one another.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in cutters for floor coverings such as linoleum. In the claims and in the subsequent description, it is to be understood that the term floor covering includes all linoleum type coverings which are normally laid in sheet form and adhesively secured to the floor and which require fitting one sheet against the other.

It is normal to cement or otherwise adhesively secure a sheet of floor covering to the floor surface and then lay a further sheet adjacent thereto. However, it is often necessary to cut the subsequent sheet in order to ensure that it fits the floor area and it is desirable that the junction between the two seams be as neat and tight as possible.

It is conventional to lay loosely the subsequent sheet so that an edge overlies the adhesively secured edge of the first sheet and then mark the overlying junction so that the edge can be trimmed by means of a straight edge and knife. This is time consuming and it is difficult to ensure a clean cut edge when using a straight edge or knife. Furthermore, the knife usually bears against the sub-floor which may either be plywood or cement so that the point of the knife rapidly becomes dull and therefore does not pierce the floor covering to initiate the cut.

The present invention utilizes the edge of the sheet adhesively secured to guide a cutter through the overlying edge portion, the cutter being so positioned that the cut edge butts firmly against the laid edge. Furthermore, the knife does not engage anything except the floor covering to be cut thus increasing the life of the cutter blade.

This cutter speeds up the operation of seaming floor coverings and enables relatively unskilled labour to operate same.

Means are provided to force the knife through the floor covering at the initiating of the cut and to retract same after the out has been completed.

The principal object and essence of the invention is therefore to provide a floor covering cutter which can be used in situ utilizing the edge of the laid sheet of floor covering as a guide.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which includes a ramp for tensioning and positioning the edge to be cut thus facilitating the cutting action.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which is simple in construction, economical in manufacture, and otherwise well suited to the purpose for which it is designed.

With the foregoing in view, and such other or further purposes, advantages or novel features as may become apparent from consideration of this disclosure and specification, the present invention consists of, and is hereby claimed to reside in, the inventive concept which is comprised, embodied, embraced, or included in the method, process, construction, composition, arrangement or combination of parts, or new use of any of the foregoing, of which concept, one or more specific embodiments of same are herein exemplified as illustrative only of such concept, reference being had to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of my invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an underside view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but sectioned in part to show the interior thereof.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the blade holder per se.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but at right angles thereto.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary partially schematic view showing the action of the cutter in conjunction with the ramp.

FIG. 8 is a schematic fragmentary view showing how the ramp tensions the floor covering at the point of severance.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation showing an alternative embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

Proceeding therefore to describe the invention in detail, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which 10 illustrates a substantially elongated body which may either be cast or which may be formed from sheet metal as desired.

A base 11, slightly wider in front elevation that the body is either formed integrally with the body or secured thereto by one end 12 thereof so that the outer portion or other end 13 is spaced from the underside 14 of the body portion thus forming a throat 15.

In the preferred embodiment, means are provided to engage against the edge 16 of the sheet of floor covering 17 already laid (see FIG. 7) and this means takes the form of a substantially rectangular plate or guide portion 18 secured to the underside 19 of the base portion 13 as clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

Recessed within this base and extending therethrough is an elongated strip or plate 19' carrying means to elevate and tension the edge of said floor covering to be cut as will hereinafter be described. In the preferred embodiment, this means takes the form of an upwardly and inwardly sloping ramp 20 secured to the end of the strip 19' and substantially above the aforementioned guide 18. This ramp is adjustable within limits and in this connection a screw adjustment 21 is provided at the rear of the base 12'. The strip 19' is preferably secured to the body 10 by means of lug 22 and screw 21 engages within a corresponding lug 23 secured to the base so that in effect, the base is moved lengthwise within limits relative to the body.

However, this is only necessary for initial setting and perhaps if a relatively thick floor covering is being cut.

A blade assembly 24 extends downwardly through the body portion and is capable of upward and downward movement within limits. This blade assembly includes a blade holder 25 mounted within a slot extending through the body portion and a cutter blade 26 is in turn engaged within a slot in the base of the holder and secured thereto by means of set screw 27. The shape of the blade is shown in FIG. 6 and consists of a downwardly and rearwardly curving cutting edge 28' which facilitates the slicing action of the floor covering.

Means are provided to extend and retract this blade holder and FIG. 4 shows a U-shaped spring 27' secured 3 by one end thereof to the body portion with the other end 28 engaging a plate 29 secured to and extending from the holder 25. This spring normally biasses the holder upwardly in the retracted position, the movement of the spring being limited by means of stop 30.

The upper end of the holder is provided with a finger engaging knob 31 so that downward pressure upon the holder extends the blade 26 below the base of the body portion and against pressure of spring 27'. Means are provided to hold the holder in the extended position and take the form of a further finger operated knob or button 32 extending upwardly from the body portion and normally being biassed in the direction of arrow 33 by means of spring 34. This knob is provided with a plate 35 which is engageable within a transverse slot 36 formed in the holder, when the holder is in the down or retracted position. -It is held in position by means of the aforementioned spring 34 but if the knob 3-2 is moved in the direction opposite to arrow 33, spring '27 moves the holder together with the blade upwardly into the retracted position.

It should be observed that the blade 26 inclines downwardly and outwardly slightly from the vertical so that it assists in the shearing action when the floor covering is being cut. It should also be observed that a shear portion 36' is provided at the rear of ramp 20 against which the edge 28' of the knife cuts the floor covering.

The ramp not only positions the floor covering relative to the guide 18 and hence in turn relative to the seamed edge 16 but also bends the free edge portion 37 of the sheet of floor covering 38 which is being laid against the laid sheet 17. FIG. 8 shows how this ramp, in conjunction with the underside 14 of the body, tensions the floor covering at the point 39 which is the line of severance, it being understood that when the floor covering is tensioned in this manner, the cutting action of the knife is facilitated greatly.

In operation, the sheet of floor covering to be laid is positioned so that the free edge portion 37 overlies the edge 16 of the laid sheet 17. The cutter is then engaged with the free portion 37 within the throat and the guide 18 against the edge 16 of the laid sheet 17 as shown in FIG. 7. The blade holder is then pushed downwardly to the extended position so that plate 35 engages slot 36 thus causing the lower point 40 of the blade to pierce the free edge portion 37 at the point 39 (see 'FIG. 8). The holder is then pulled slightly against the edge 16 and moved along this edge so that the knife or cutter edge 28' slices the floor covering immediately above the edge 16. When the end of the sheet is reached, the button or knob 32' is moved in the direction opposite to arrow 33 thus enabling spring 27' to retract the knife assembly whereupon the cutter can be removed.

It will be appreciated that approximately 1 inch of covering is left at either end of the sheet and this, of course, can be cut manually. The inclination of the knife blade relative to the vertical, not only facilitates the cutting action but gives a slightly tmdercut edge to the sheet 4 being out which in turn facilitates the formation of a tight seam or joint between the adjacent sheets.

FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment in which the base portion 41 is formed in a U-shaped manner and secured by means of screws 42 or the like to the underside of the body portion 42. The ramp 43 together with the guide 44 formed upon the distal end 45 of this base portion 41 as shown in FIG. 9.

Various modifications can be made within the scope of the inventive concept which is herein disclosed and/or claimed. Accordingly, it is intended that what is set forth should be regarded as illustrative of such concept and not for the purpose of limiting protection to any particular embodiment thereof, and that only such limitations should be placed upon the scope of protection to which the inventor hereof is entitled as justice dictates.

What I claim to be the present invention is:

1. In a cutter for linoleum and the like, the combination of an elongated body including a base portion and an upper portion connected at one end thereof to said base portion in upwardly spaced relation therefrom to provide an open space for receiving linoleum to be cut, a guide member provided at the underside of said base portion and having a guiding edge engageable with an edge of linoleum already laid, a cutter blade slidably mounted in said upper portion and projectable downwardly therefrom in substantial alignment with the guiding edge of. said guide member, and an inclined ramp provided on said base portion above said guide member, said ramp projecting above said base portion and its inclination being such that when an edge portion of linoleum to be cut engages said ramp, the linoleum edge portion is deflected upwardly in said space and then curved downwardly under its own weight so as to be tensioned in the region where it is to be cut by said blade.

2. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said ramp is slidably mounted on said base portion, together with means for sliding the ramp to adjust its position relative to said blade.

3. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said ramp has a shearing edge cooperating with said cutter blade.

4. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said cutter blade. is slidable in an inclined plane.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,129,531 2/1915 Waligorski 30-293 3,148,448 9/1964 Gragg 30293 X 3,276,119 10/1966 Brucker 30289 3,407,498 10/1968 Young 30-293 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,343,561 10/l963- France 30293 ROBERT C. RIORDON, Primary Examiner J. C. PETERS, Assistant Examiner 

